Common Name: Tibetan AntelopeScientific Name: Pantholops hodgsoniiProtected Status: U.S. ESA – Endangered; CITES – App.I Laboratory Section: Morphology What’s the Story? Image of the cuticle scales on the surface of a guard hair (coarse fiber) from a Tibetan antelope. The shape of the scales is diagnostic for the species, and therefore only one coarse fiber trapped in the weave of the shawl is all that is necessary to prove its origin from an endangered species.

Credit: USFWS.

Electrophoretic Gel of Caviar DNA

Common Name: SturgeonScientific Name: Acipenser sp. Protected Status: U.S. ESA Threatened or Endangered, depending of species; CITES – App. I or App. II depending of species Laboratory Section: GeneticsWhat’s the Story? Sturgeon species in the caviar trade (fish eggs) can be identified by their DNA sequence.

Credit: USFWS.

Bug Colony at Work

Common Name: Dermestid BeetlesScientific Name: Family DermestidaeProtected Status: NoneLaboratory Section: MorphologyWhat’s the Story? The laboratory maintains a colony of these beetles for cleaning skeletons. Find our more about our bug colony.

Credit: USFWS.

Elephant Hair Bracelet

Common Name: African ElephantScientific Name:Loxodonta africanaProtected Status: U.S. ESA – Threatened; CITES – App. I or II, depending on subspecies and locality.Laboratory Section: MorphologyWhat’s the Story? The long, coarse hairs from the tail of the elephant can be woven into jewelry such as bracelets, rings, and earrings.

Credit: USFWS.

Gender Determination through Genetic Analysis

Common Name: ElkScientific Name:Cervus elaphusProtected Status: Protected at the State level. Not federally protected.Laboratory Section: GeneticsWhat’s the Story? The take of a female elk is only allowed during doe season. Determination of gender is done using genomic DNA when other morphological characteristics are absent (example, antlers).

Credit: USFWS.

Carved Ivory Tusk

Item: Could be a carved elephant tusk or could be made from plastic.Laboratory Section: Morphology and CriminalisticsWhat’s the Story? First, the composition of the material must be assayed if morphological features are not apparent. This can be done using instruments that can determine the elemental constituents of the material.

Credit: USFWS.

Fake Carving

Item: Resembled a carving made from Helmeted Hornbill beak Analysis: Analysis showed this was not a wildlife productLaboratory Section: MorphologyWhat’s the Story? This object was made to look as if it was carved from the beak of a rare Helmeted Hornbill. Lab analysis showed it was a fake. View an example of a real Hornbill carving.

Credit: USFWS.

Caviar Tins

Common Name: Sturgeon eggsScientific Name: Acipenser sp.Protected Status: U.S. ESA Threatened or Endangered, depending of species; CITES – App. I or App. II depending of species Laboratory Section: GeneticsWhat’s the Story? The US is one of the biggest importers of Caviar. Certain species are endangered and their importation is prohibited. Design on the tins has information of species of origin and of the caviar grade.

Credit: USFWS.

Tissue Samples

Common Name: ElkScientific Name:Cervus elaphusProtected Status: Protected at the State level. Not federally protected. Laboratory Section: GeneticsWhat’s the Story? Individualization requires comprehensive population samples. Samples such as blood and muscle are archived in controlled conditions.